Uggah shows the text of his winding-up speech.
KUCHING: The government has approved RM40 million for the perimeter survey of native customary rights (NCR) land in Sarawak next year.
Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah said many have voiced dissatisfaction and disappointment over the absence of allocation for perimeter survey in the national Budget 2019.
“Under the previous Barisan Nasional (BN) government RM30 million has always been allocated for the purpose each year from 2010.
“However during the tabling of the Budget 2019, and to our disappointment, we did not hear any announcement on the allocation for perimeter survey.
“We are very disappointed because we are represented by Pakatan Harapan (PH) ministers in the Cabinet,” he said during his ministerial winding-up speech yesterday.
Uggah, who is also Minister of Modernisation of Agriculture, Native Land and Regional Development, said the RM40 million allocation was a very clear indication of Sarawak government’s commitment to resolve the NCR land issue.
He said many people were very fond of pointing fingers, accusing the government and branding them with all sorts of name instead of finding ways to solve the problem.
“They are just instigating the people. So I appeal to the people not to be easily instigated by irresponsible parties on this matter.”
He said a committee on Sarawak Land Code (Amendment) 2018 on native territorial domain chaired by him was in the midst of fine-tuning the rules relating to application for native communal titles.
He said his ministry, together with Majlis Adat Istiadat Sarawak, would hold roadshows on Sarawak Land Code (Amendment) 2018 throughout the state next year.
The roadshow would be supported by State Attorney General Chambers and Land and Survey Department.
On a related matter, Uggah said his ministry was looking at a leasing model as an alternative development model for NCR land to complement the existing models which have been implemented since the 1970s.
“Under the proposed leasing model, the lease rental rate will be based on the principle of ‘willing seller and willing buyer’. This model is currently being practised by landowners and investors through privately arranged ventures.
“My ministry will regulate the non-formal arrangement by registering the agreement to safeguard the interests of NCR landowners and investors.
“To date, three privately arranged ventures have been registered with my ministry,” he said.
On Sarawak Land Consolidation and Rehabilitation Authority (Salcra), he said a RM22 million-allocation had been approved for the authority (Salcra) for next year. The amount is made up of RM2 million from the Sarawak government, and RM20 million from the federal government under Ministry of Rural Development.
“From the RM20 million allocation, RM14.16 million comes in the form of loan for oil palm replanting and mill waste management project.
“The balance of RM5.84 million comes in the form of grant to carry out estate infrastructure projects and for supplementary economic activity programme,” he said.